Important Clinical Findings Of Vitamin E and Your Health

To function properly, the brain, eyes, liver, skin, and walls of the arteries need vitamin E. Vitamin E or tocopherol, a potent fat-soluble antioxidant, is usually obtained from cooking oils, certain vegetables, and dietary supplements. And when it comes to supplements, what you do not know about some widely used supplements may be hurting you. Researchers at the Ohio State University found out that gamma-tocopherol, one of the two most common vitamin forms (the other being alpha-tocopherol), is detrimental to animal cells. Another study, however, has uncovered gamma-tocopherols potential as an anti-cancer agent. Vitamin E certainly has both good and bad sides, thus you might want to check out these eight important research findings on vitamin E to expand your knowledge and to dispel some misconceptions about this micronutrient.

Lung Inflammation from Vitamin E in Corn and Other Oils

Gamma-tocopherol, the form of vitamin E present in com, canola, and soybean oils, is associated with inflammation of the lungs and even asthma. This is according to the findings of a large-scale study at Northwestern University. In contrast, consumption of alpha-tocopherol, the form of vitamin E found in sunflower and olive oils, has been found to result in better lung function.

Increase or Decrease in Pneumonia Risk

A person’s risk of developing pneumonia may be affected by vitamin E supplementation, according to the findings of a study at the University of Helsinki. The study had 29,133 participants, and 898 of them had developed pneumonia. For people who exercised during their leisure time and had the lowest exposure level to smoking. vitamin E supplementation has been found to reduce their risk of pneumonia by 69 percent. Conversely, vitamin E supplementation can increase by 79 percent the risk of developing pneumonia among those who did not exercise and had the most exposure to smoking.

Pneumonia Risk Among Elderly Men

A study shows that elderly men, who had quit smoking and were taking 50 mg of vitamin E daily, can lower their risk of developing pneumonia by 72 percent. A 35-percent reduction in pneumonia risk was seen among 7.469 participants who had 7,469 participants who had begun to smoke at 21 years or older. In contrast, those who began to smoke at a younger age had their pneumonia risk unaffected by vitamin E intake.

Memory Disorders

The variants of vitamin E all play a vital role in guarding against age-related cognitive decline, according to the results of a study based on vitamin E levels in the serum of elderly participants which is the most reliable method for determining vitamin E levels. It has been found that older people with a high content of vitamin E in their serum are less likely to develop memory disorders.

Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a chronic liver disease in people who either do not drink or drink very little alcohol, can result in cirrhosis or liver cancer. The findings of a study funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases are good news for NASH sufferers. It has been found that daily intake of 800 international units of RRR-alpha-tocopherol, a type of vitamin E, can help alleviate the symptoms of this liver disease.

Kidney Damage

Around 10 percent of extended neuropathies in hospitals involve contrast medium-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI), which is acquired during hospital care. This type of kidney injury is believed to have been caused by lowered antioxidant activity in the body. Luckily, vitamin E has been found to reduce CIAKI risk by 62 percent.

Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Over 90 percent of people in the U.S. who do not take supplements are said to lack the recommended 15 mg per day of vitamin E. This deficiency is compounded by the from reaching the body’s tissues that need it. Thus, those with high blood lipid levels like obese people, are beset with tissue inflammation because the much-needed vitamin ends up getting stuck in their blood, according to research Oregon State University.

Cancers

The various forms of vitamin E pose different health effects. Gamma-tocopherol and delta-tocopherol, which are found in nuts, as well as oils derived from canola, corn, and soybean, can help prevent the formation and growth of breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancers, according to research by scientists at Rutgers University. Meanwhile, alpha-tocopherol, the form of vitamin E used in most dietary supplements, does not offer this health benefit. In fact, in a clinical trial, alpha-tocopherol is even discovered to considerably increase the susceptibility of healthy men to prostate cancer.

This has prompted researchers to suggest that when opting for artificial sources like vitamin E supplements, it is wiser to choose supplements whose components mimic what can already be found in the diet. It is also best to stay physically active and to eat a diet rich in vitamin E such as soybeans, walnuts, pecans, and heart-friendly vegetable oils.

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